Olivier is someone whose work I admire greatly. He draws from life: he particularly enjoys drawing on location, or from reference photos of places that he has visited. Each drawing has a wonderful sense of 'place', and there is a strong element of cartography to his work.

Below is an example for those who don't know his work: of the King's Arms pub...

Image copyright: Olivier Kugler

Like this ? Check out Olivier's website.

It would be great to have Olivier's contribution to 'My Places' in Teaching Geography...

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Just been adding some sections to the EDEXCEL GEOG NING which now has over 420 members. Come and join us if you haven't already....Noticed that one of the options for the GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH topic (which is Unit 4) is:

Option 4: The World of CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY (Extract from Edexcel Document)

CultureCulture is a complex concept, with multiple meanings but universal importance to human populations. In many parts of the world consumption is the dominant, but not the only, culture. Culture varies spatially and has a distinct geography, with some areas being relatively homogenous while others offer greater diversity. Large urban areas often produce diversity, which is reflected in the population, services and built environment of cities. Attitudes to cultural diversity differ, both personal and political/national.

Cultural PatternsGlobalisation is seen by some as a key process in driving culture towards a global model, and media TNCs and communications technology aid this process. However, the pattern is complex and localised cultures do survive and new cultures can still be generated. Culture, to some extent, determines our attitude to the wider environment in terms of consumption, conservation, exploitation and protection. Attitudes to the environment differ between cultures; however, the dominance of today's consumer capitalism is difficult to resolve with pressing environmental concerns.

1. Defining Culture and identifying its value

Enquiry QuestionWhat is the nature and value of culture in terms of peoples and places ?

2. The Geography of Culture

Enquiry QuestionHow and why does culture vary spatially ?

3. The impact of Globalisation on cultural diversity ?

Enquiry QuestionHow is globalisation impacting on culture ?

4. Cultural attitudes to the environmentEnquiry QuestionHow do cultural values impact on our relationship with the environment ?

Some of this has a real overlap with the PILOT GCSE, which once again suggests that there are some links between this spec and the pilot making it a good 'follow on' course.For some ideas, check the CULTURAL LABELLED posts on my PILOT BLOG (which has now been closed to new posts)

The latest edition of the GA Magazine is now available to download from the GA website (you need to log in first...)This is a particularly good issue, but then I have to declare an interest: I edited the issue, along with David Rayner.In addition to the usual features, such as a particularly good Webwatch, there are some feature pieces on the concept of INTERDEPENDENCE.

The middle section was the bit I edited.Highlights of the issue include:

"Thinking inside the box": an article on the BBC 'box' project by me

"Connecting Classrooms": an article by Graham Goldup on a project to develop a school link with Arusha, Tanzania & Brighton schools

"Windwards Revisited": an article by Martin Crabbe on the ongoing links that he has maintained following a trip to the Windward Islands in 2005

"Interdependence Day": a summary of the report by Joe Smith of the Open University

"Food glorious food - but for how much longer ?": an article by me on a TDA CPD unit that I'm writing - contrary to what it says in the magazine it's not quite finished yet....

"Cheap food and global interdependence" by Peter Jackson of the University of Sheffield

"Into Africa" - Emma Cook talking about her toolkit book

"A Thorny Issue" - Louise Ellis talking about her toolkit book

There is also an outline on A DIFFERENT VIEW: the Manifesto for school geography which will be launched at the GA Conference.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Those teaching CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY will be delighted to hear that Tony Cassidy has been busy over Christmas, and has updated his resources, and added a few new additions. Plenty of inspiration HERE.Thanks Tony !

What is this blog about ?

Cultural Geography featured on the now-ex Pilot GCSE Geography Specification - that was my introduction to this area of geography. This blog started out featuring my findings, resources and images as I produced resources when teaching this unit for the first time. Some readers may disagree with what I call 'cultural geography' but I'm still relatively new to all this...

Some of the early content stems from ideas by Dr. Phil Wood , Senior Lecturer in Geographical Education at the University of Leicester.

The blog has now morphed into a general place to blog about geography and popular culture, as well as social science, mapping and a range of other cultural items of interest.